TOP Irish province Leinster parade 13 internationals in tonight's crunch Heineken Cup clash at Newport as they defend a 10-match winning run.

But Leinster's Australian coach Matt Williams insists Newport will give them their toughest game of the season.

If Newport win they are right back in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals, but if Leinster do the double after winning 21-6 at Donnybrook a week ago they are as good as in the last eight.

Williams ignores that. "Once you start counting and looking more than one game down the track you lose," he said.

"I'll leave journalists to write about that sort of thing. We are only looking at 80 minutes.

"We're under no illusions about the task facing us. The past doesn't count, only Friday night.

"It's going to be incredibly difficult. It will be our biggest and most difficult game of the season.

"The first part is mission accomplished, winning at home is enormously important. But Newport have won one away (at Newcastle) so it's very important to come over to Wales and win."

Leinster are renowned for their attacking capability with strike players of the calibre of Brian O'Driscoll, Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan in their ranks.

But Williams stresses it was defence which won them the first encounter.

"I disagree with a lot of the analysis," he said. "We defended the best we have ever done, we had to pull that out to keep Newport out.

"But it's easier to do that at home. We will have to take a step forward again to keep Newport at bay.

"We have huge respect for Newport, how they are coached and the players. Howarth, Tonu'u and Mostyn are all very good."

Williams reveals that Leinster are trying to emulate Munster on and off the field and get the people of Dublin behind them.

"We're very wary and we're taking small steps, but RTE have just picked up coverage of Friday's game and it's being shown live," he said.

"That is the first time for us in an away game. We're creating team spirit and we're getting the people of Dublin behind us. We might get 400 or 500 at Newport.

"I know what it's like at Rodney Parade, I was assistant coach to New South Wales at Newport and I know they've done a great job there."

Williams won't be drawn on the outcome tonight, but does say, "It'll be a great game."

* In the picture: Leinster's Denis Hickie